6 Questions for Rickson Gracie

More than a decade has passed since Rickson
Gracie competed in mixed martial arts, but the 52-year-old
Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt still holds a prominent place in the
minds and hearts of most hardcore fans. Gracie last fought at an
event in Japan in May 2000, when he choked Pancrase
co-founder Masakatsu
Funaki unconscious with a rear-naked choke in a little less
than 13 minutes. He walked away from the sport with a perfect 11-0
mark, with all 11 victories by way of submission.

In this exclusive interview with Sherdog.com, Gracie discussed the
impact of UFC
134 on Brazil, his recent participation in the Bintang Black
Belt Challenge -- a surfing championship for jiu-jitsu black belts
-- and, perhaps most importantly, the state of the ground game in
modern-day MMA.

Sherdog.com: Do you believe jiu-jitsu fighters
are having trouble getting the fight on the ground in today’s
MMA?
Gracie: I see it as a new race of fighter developing, something
that’s been invented. There are no more style matchups. Now,
everyone knows everything. It’s about the strengths of the
individual. The time of fights was shortened, the weights were
equalized and technology was incorporated into training. There is
no more romanticism in seeing a smaller guy fight a bigger guy for
two hours. Thinking of that, I believe jiu-jitsu has lost the
capacity to be put into practice in today’s MMA, because it’s an
art you have to wait for the right moment with. Now, MMA is a sport
for the better-prepared fighter, the guy who can absorb more
punches and still win. There’s still an admiration for the art by
those who practice it, but there’s a decline in how it’s working in
MMA. My motivation is completely focused on the concept. That’s
where I believe I can make a difference: in making the shy kid feel
normal, in making the weak woman believe she’s strong. I want
people to have a sense of self-defense and a concept of the
invisible power. That’s where jiu-jitsu will achieve its
eternity.

Sherdog.com: You have taken part in many
legendary events. Do you still have the desire to compete
again?
Gracie: There’s always that longing to fight, but I’m motivated by
everything I’ve done so far. Nowadays, I have responsibilities that
motivate me more than trying to live something I’ve already lived.
Today, my focus is on remembering the people of jiu-jitsu and the
philosophy that comes with the practice. It’s not directed at
competition but at self-defense, self-confidence, discipline and
emotional control. The values you learn are priceless.

Sherdog.com: There is no one better than you
to describe the importance of UFC 134. What was it like to see
15,000 people supporting Brazilian fighters?
Gracie: It was very nice -- a Brazilian night. Guys fought really
well. [Antonio Rodrigo] “Minotauro” [Nogueira], Anderson [Silva],
[Mauricio] “Shogun” [Rua] ... everyone had a good role. And to feel
the emotion that you only can feel in Brazil, where you have this
human warmth, was great. I enjoyed taking part in a night like
that.

Sherdog.com: Among the Brazilian fighters who
competed at UFC 134, who did you like best?
Gracie: The Brazilians had a great night. They were pushed by the
crowd and were well-prepared. I loved Minotauro. He’s a lion of a
veteran. He was well-prepared physically and mentally, and he shut
a lot of people’s mouths. Anderson showed his skills, which was no
surprise. I expected that. Thiago
Tavares was great, as was [Rousimar] “Toquinho” [Palhares].
Everyone showed the desire to win, and I congratulate them.

Sherdog.com: The Americans invited you to sit
on the first row at the HSBC Arena. Some people were worried that
they would tout MMA as their creation. How important was it for you
to see your father, Helio Gracie, recognized, along with yourself
and your brothers, Rorion Gracie and Royce
Gracie?
Gracie: It was fair recognition. They are developing a great work
with marketing, but everything is our creation. It’s not only about
Brazilian fighters but about the concept and the Brazilian spirit
behind it. They’re not re-inventing the wheel, and we have the
resources needed to make the same kind of show as they have. We
have human material and an interested audience, and now we also
have the media vehicles needed to integrate them. We can have a
Brazilian UFC, which is more important than recognizing the actions
of others.

Sherdog.com: How was the surfing
championship?
Gracie: I lost this time, but it was very cool to see the
fellowship and to be with my friends on the ocean. It’s incredible
to be in such a beautiful place like Prainha surfing with friends.
There are no winners or losers there.